Think of the Loved Ones at Home.
Copyright, 1881, by Wm. A. Fond & Co.
Words and Music by Otto M. Heinzman.
How well do I remember when I wag leaving home
To tail so far away across the sea;
I was going to be a sailor on board a man-o'-war,
A hero in my country's cause to be.
My mother she caressed me and smoothed down my hair,
And kissed me ere I left her side to roam;
Then said, "My boy, be faithful unto your country's flag,
And think of all the dear loved ones at home.
She kissed me good-bye with tears and a sigh,
And said, "Boy, be true, while far you may roam;
Where'er you may be, on land or at sea,
Just think of the loved ones at home."
That day the ship was leaving the quay was thronged with friends
Who came to bid their dear loved ones farewell;
My mother stood there weeping, with tear-stains on her face;
I watched her there with grief that none could tell.
Just then the chains were loosened, and off our ship was bound,
Perhaps no more to come back o'er the foam;
But as it moved away I heard a dear voice say.
Just think of all the dear loved ones at home.
She kissed me good-bye with tears And a sigh,
And said, "Boy, be true, while far you may roam;
Where'er you may be, on land or at sea.
Just think of the loved ones at home."
A few months had departed when a letter I received,
It said that mother dear had passed away;
Her heart must have been broken with fretting and with care.
While thinking of her boy from day to day.
She said she'd like to see him and kiss him ere she died,
But he was far away upon the foam;
And where'er I may finger I'll think of that refrain,
Just think of all the dear loved ones at home.
She kissed me good-bye with tears And a sigh,
And said, "Boy, be true, while far you may roam;
Where'er you may be, on land or at sea,
Just think of the loved ones at home."